Hun Many, the youngest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen and a CPP lawmaker, revealed during a radio show on Wednesday his ambition to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the future prime minister.
Speaking as part of the “Society and Politics” forum aired on Vayo FM, the 32-year-old politician said that Cambodia’s youth should strive to lead the country.
“As a Cambodian youth, I think that to become the prime minister is my goal—and it should be the goal of other youths,” Mr. Many said.
“Every youth should have the dream of becoming prime minister and try the best to get this position, because it’s not just a rank—it’s a huge honor to serve the nation.”
CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said he believed that the purpose of Mr. Many’s comments was to motivate youth, as opposed to expressing his personal ambitions.
“In my opinion, it does not reflect the party’s policy,” said Mr. Eysan.
“His Excellency Hun Many is also the head of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia so his comment is to encourage youths to have high hopes,” he said.
“This is not about being a successor, as it will make some people think that Hun Sen will pass through to his children and grandchildren, it’s not like that.”
In October, Mr. Many’s eldest brother, Hun Manet, was pressed on whether he had plans to become prime minister during a television interview aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Lieutenant General Manet finally said “not no, not yes,” when asked if he would take the position if the people supported him.
Ou Virak, a political analyst and founder of the Future Forum think tank, said that Mr. Many’s ascension would be more practical.
“I think Hun Sen is grooming either Hun Many, or his eldest son Hun Manet,” Mr. Virak said.
“But Hun Manet is deeply involved in the army, so I think it would be very difficult for him to become a politician,” he added. “Hun Many is still very young, so there is a lot of time to keep watching.”
(Additional reporting by Tej Parikh)
